R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala
Updated
Karkala, Nov 13: The local unit of VHP on Friday November 13 called off the bandh that was supposed to be held on Saturday November 14, after confusion arose between the district VHP and the local unit regarding the announcement, and after police refused to grant permission.
Earlier in the day, it been reported that the VHP had called for the bandh in protest against the recent incident of violence that erupted in Madikeri on Tipu Jayanti and the murder of Harish near BC Road in Bantwal.
VHP Karkala unit leader Narayana Maniyani had informed that Udupi district president of VHP Suprasad Shetty had announced a district-wide bandh on Saturday, but Suprasad Shetty himself clarified that he had made no such announcement and that no bandh would be held.
On Friday, while Bajrang Dal and VHP held protests in Udupi and Kundapur taluks, there was no protest in Karkala, much to everyone's surprise. Neverthess, the police had made all arrangements and deployed tight security in the taluk. By noon, however, around 50 Bajrang Dal activists gathered in front of Ananthasayana temple. On receiving information, circle inspector G A Naikar and his team rushed to the spot prevented the activists from shouting slogans or holding rally.
Also, believing that Udupi district bandh would be held on Saturday, the local units of VHP and Bajrang Dal decided not to hold 'rasta roko' in Karkala on Friday. Instead, as per the instructions of Bajrang Dal leader Mahesh Bailoor, the activists went around telling shopkeepers to close their shutters on Saturday, and even allegedly threatened of consequences if they did not do so. However, circle inspector Naikar refused to grant permission.
Meanwhile, VHP district president Suprasad Shetty clarified that no bandh would be held, and it is also learnt that there was pressure from higher-ups in this regard. Finally, amidst all the confusion, the Karkala unit of VHP and Bajrang Dal decided to call off the bandh.
Earlier Report
Karkala: VHP calls for bandh on Nov 14 - BD activists force shopkeepers to shut down
With Inputs from R B Jagadish/Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala
Karkala, Nov 13: Even as Udupi and many parts of Karnataka on Friday November 13 saw protests over the death of a VHP leader in Madikeri on Tipu Jayanti, Bajrang Dal activists in Karkala went a step further, forcing people, especially shop keepers to close down their businesses on Saturday November 14.
It is learnt that in protest against the Madikeri incident and the murder of Harish near BC Road in Bantwal, the VHP Karkala unit has called for bandh on Saturday.
As soon as the bandh was announced, members of Bajrang Dal Karkala unit went around the town literally forcing people to support the bandh by closing their businesses on Saturday. An eyewitness said that the activists even threatened the shop keepers of consequences if they failed to do as told.
Speaking to daijiworld, VHP Karkala unit leader Narayana Maniyani said that the call for bandh has been given by VHP Udupi district president Suprasad Shetty. Maniyani said that the VHP and Bajrang Dal will observe bandh on Saturday to protest the violence that erupted in Madikeri in which a VHP leader was killed, and also the Bantwal murder. The bandh is being held to protest against the anti-Hindu policies of the state government, he added.
However, speaking to daijiworld, Suprasad Shetty said that he has not given any call for bandh, but VHP Karkala leader Mahesh Bailoor said that there would be a bandh and everyone should cooperate.
Meanwhile, Sri Rama Sene leader Avinash submitted a memorandum to Udupi tahsildar condemning detention of Sri Rama leader Pramod Muthalik in Hassan district.
Following the call for bandh, the Karkala police led by ASP Dr Suman are making arrangements to deploy tight security in the taluk, sources said.